After trying to reach Shayne on the phone, Dave Carson is shot to death in an alley near the motel he's staying at. A cop comes to Shayne's apartment and tells him that Gentry wants to see him. A man has been found dead and "It seems he had this matchbook on him." "Doesn't everybody?" Shayne asks. "Not with Mike Shayne's name on it." Times certainly have changed, who carries matches anymore? The many fewer people who still smoke probably use a Bic. Shayne later receives a letter from Carson that had been misdirected making an appointment with Shayne and including a nice retainer. Carson operated the Palmetto Health Farm, a place where wealthy women go to lose weight. Carson's wife, Belle, has been having an affair with one of the trainers at the club. A shady character from Belle's past shows up with the intent of blackmailing her. All of the suspects are unlikable but none is more conniving than the trainer's wife, portrayed by Beverly Garland. Character actor Percy Helton with his familiar raspy voice has a small part as the motel manager. But it's Garland who steals the show and makes this such a good episode.
Review of Murder and the Wanton Bride
